“It’s positive because I’ll have the chance to get back into game-shape and to prepare myself for the next Impact training camp,” said Gervais, who was named Defender of the Year in the First Division of the United Soccer Leagues, last season. “It helped me a lot for the 2006 season. It’s also a good thing to stay close to the national team. I will have the chance to prove I still have my place there.”
Gervais was invited by the national squad at the same time last year for a training camp in Carson, California. He also played two friendly match-ups against Jamaica on September 4, at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, and on October 8, in Kingston, Jamaica.
In 2006, Gervais was picked on the First All-League Team, helping the Impact post the best defense in the league for a fourth straight year, allowing only 15 goals in 28 games. He also helped the Impact collect 16 shutouts in 28 games, the second best total in club history.
Mert has never played a game with the national team. The Nova Scotia native spent the last two seasons with the Impact. Last year, he had an assist in 919 minutes on the field. He started 10 of the 18 games he played in.
MASSIMO DI IOIA INVITED BY U20 TEAM
Young Impact forward Massimo Di Ioia is currently taking part in Canada’s U-20 Team training camp, also in Fort Lauderdale, until January 22.
The Canadian team is gearing up for the FIFA U-20 World Cup which will take place in Canada in July.
Di Ioia also took part in a camp in Bradenton, Florida, in preparation for a friendly match-up against the U-20 USA Men’s National Team on December 20. He played 59 minutes in a 2-0 loss.
In his rookie season in 2006 with the Impact, Di Ioia scored a goal and added an assist in 516 minutes of play. He scored his first career goal July 21 in Minnesota, in a 2-1 loss against the Thunder.
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
